York River Bridge Is A Go

James River Bridge Is A No

Better Ferry Service, Toll Hike To Be Studied

A proposal to build a bridge between James City and Surry counties was shelved by the Commonwealth Transportation Board Thursday until one or both counties' governing board supports it.

The resolution, approved by a voice vote with one dissention and at least one abstention, directs the staff of the Transportation Department to look for ways to improve the existing ferry service and consider increasing tolls to cover operating costs.

Robert A. Quicke of Blackstone, the at-large member representing rural areas, dissented. Herbert V. Kelly of Newport News, the at-large member representing urban areas, said he abstained.

The counties' opposition to a new bridge proved to be the turning point for the decision, which state Transportation Secretary John G. Milliken said was worked out in the "last 12-18 hours" before the vote.

"I do think we have to be aware of the consequences of what we do in terms of the local community's land-use plan and the environment in which the community is situated," said Milliken, who chairs the board.

In April, the board seemed to have narrowed its choice to building a bridge near Jamestown Island and the existing ferry route. By Wednesday, however, when members met to discuss items on Thursday's agenda, the proposed route had shifted to the west, stretching between Claremont in Surry and a tract of undeveloped land in James City about three miles west of Jamestown.

Robert Emmett III and Arthur W. Schmidt Jr., co-developers of the undeveloped tract known as Governor's Land and among the opponents of a new bridge, were pleased with the board's decision.

"It shows the sensitivity of the secretary to the concerns of local government," Schmidt said.

Emmett stopped short of calling Thursday's vote a victory and said "it doesn't close the door" on the bridge matter.

State Transportation Commissioner Ray Pethtel said the reso lution requires the staff to come back in three to four months with, among other things, ways to pay for the cost of operating the ferry.

Pethel and Milliken said they expect tolls to be increased over three years, and the staff will look at other innovations such as limited term ticket books and different prices for commuters and non-commuters, Pethtel said.

Wednesday, staff members said a new 55-car ferry boat would cost about $10 million. A 110-car ferry, double the size of existing boats, would cost about $15 million. Finding ways to pay for such a purchase is another task assigned to the staff, Pethtel said.

The staff also was directed to go back to the opponents of a bridge and try to develop modifications of the plan that would be acceptable.

Milliken did not rule out going back to the localities to ask them to subsidize the cost of ferry operations. It costs the state about $2.6 million annually to subsidize the cost of ferry operations.

Earlier this year, the staff was sent to James City, Surry, Charles City County and Williamsburg, all opponents of a bridge, to tell local elected officials they would have to agree to assume the subsidy cost to keep the ferry. None of the four agreed, however.

Unless James City or Surry asks for a bridge, the issue is dead, Milliken said.

Before the vote, Kelly said the resolution might be "a copout."

"I am bothered whether we are avoiding the responsibility of moving people of Virginia," Kelly said. "We are letting the development interest in one county and the possibility of growth in another one guide us in the decision to move people in Virginia."

Kelly admitted it is a very complex issue and said he could not fault either side.

M. Philmore Howlette, the member representing the Richmond district, said after the meeting, "When a board of supervisors come to you, you just can't turn them off; you've got to listen to them."